Acting TSC chief executive Evaleen Mitei is among five candidates shortlisted for the substantive role.
TSC will interview five candidates on November 16, 2026, after a court ordered the commission to restart recruitment.
Acting Teachers Service Commission chief executive Evaleen Mitei has made the TSC CEO shortlist alongside four other candidates. The commission will interview them for the substantive secretary and CEO position on November 16, 2026.
The five emerged from 124 applicants following a fresh advertisement on September 29, 2026. Interviews will take place at the commission’s headquarters in Upper Hill, Nairobi.
TSC CEO shortlist and interview schedule
Cheptumo Ayabei from Baringo County will appear first at 9am, followed by Mitei from Uasin Gishu at 10am. Robert Odette from Migori County will then face the panel at 11am.
Lawrence Kaburu from Tharaka Nithi County will attend at noon. Farah Abdi Saman from Mandera County will conclude the interviews at 1pm.
Meanwhile, TSC has invited the public to submit credible information about the candidates through sworn affidavits. Submissions should reach the commission chairperson at TSC headquarters, third floor, by November 13, 2026.
Chairperson Jamleck Muturi said the commission may also interview people who submit information about shortlisted candidates. He assured contributors that the commission would keep their submissions confidential.
Court ruling prompted fresh recruitment
The fresh exercise follows a High Court ruling that nullified recruitment initiated on May 6, 2025. Justices Dorah Chepkwony and Francis Nyungu delivered the ruling at the Kiambu High Court on September 17, 2026.
The judges found that the initial advertisement gave applicants only 13 days to apply. However, the TSC Human Resource Policies and Procedures Manual requires at least 14 days.
The court also faulted the commission for omitting the proposed remuneration from the advertisement. It consequently quashed the recruitment process and directed TSC to start again.
However, the judges upheld Section 16(2)(b) and (c) of the TSC Act. These provisions require an education degree and 10 years of relevant experience, including five in senior management.
Documents candidates must present
Under the fresh exercise, applicants needed Kenyan citizenship and an education degree from a recognised institution in Kenya. They also had to meet Chapter Six integrity requirements and the stipulated experience threshold.
For interviews, candidates must bring original identity cards, academic and professional certificates, and academic transcripts. They must also present valid clearance certificates from KRA, HELB, a registered credit reference bureau and DCI.
In addition, foreign-university graduates must bring recognition letters from the Commission for University Education. TSC also requires printed online self-declaration acknowledgements or EACC-stamped self-declaration forms.
Candidates should bring relevant professional recommendations where applicable, alongside supporting testimonials. Finally, the commission requires each candidate to arrive at least 30 minutes before their scheduled interview.
